Stair railing



Oct. 24, 1961 M. H. ROBERTS 3,005,242

STAIR RAILING Filed NOV. 19, 1958 IN V EN TOR. MARVIN H. ROBERTS 09m M/MM United States.

. This;invention relates to a stair railing. More particularly, this invention relates to an auxiliary stair railing for children adapted to be used in conjunction with standard stair railings of various lengths.

Stair railings are considered a necessity both in public buildings and in private homes. The reasons for having stair railings are, of course, well-known. The number of accidents incurred while going up or down a stairway would be greatly increased were it not for adequate stair railings. With something to grasp, one can both steady himself and correct a miscalculated step. Thus, the necessity for stair railings certainly cannot be questioned.

However, stair railings presently in use are not suited to meet the needs of small children. They are, of course, positioned at a height to help adults, this height being too great to properly assist small children. Small children have the same need for stair railings when they go up or down a flight of steps. In fact, very small children have a much greater need for such a railing. Their walking movement is somewhat unsteady when walking on a plane surface and this unsteadiness very greatly increases when going up or down a flight of steps. An adult stair railing is of little use to such a child, itbeing still more difficultto maneuver when reaching up-to hold onto it. Such children would be greatly assisted if there were also astair railing provided for their use.

Because not every home or building will require such a stair railing, it would, of course, be impractical to always construct two stair railings. Further, a family might wish tohave such a railing for a period of time and then have it removed when the need for it is no longer present. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a childs stair railing which may be used in conjunction with a standard stair; railing already in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a stair railing which is adapted to be used in conjunction with standard railings of various lengths.

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide such a stair railing whichcan be mounted on a standard stair railing or removed therefrom very quickly and easily.

I Still another object of this invention. is to provide. a childs stair railing whichcan be stored in a relatively small place when not in use. n

A still further object of this invention is to provide such astair railing-which is inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a stair railing which is pleasing in appearance when in use, and when removed leaves no mark on either the wall or the standard stair railing requiring patching to restore original appearance. These and other objects of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the building art upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of one of the hangers utilized in securing the auxiliary stair railing to a standard stair railing;

atent FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of the parts comprising the encircled portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a standard stair railing in conjunction with an auxiliary childs stair railing comprising this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Briefly, this invention relates to an auxiliary stairrailing for children adapted to be used in conjunction with a standard stair railing, including a plurality of hanger means mounted on the brackets securing the standard stair railing to the wall. The hanger means depend from these brackets. An elongated rail member is provided, the hanger means receiving this rail member whereby the rail member lies generally parallel to the standard stair railing but closer to the steps.

Referring to the drawings, a stair railing of ordinary construction is designated by the reference number 1 (FIG. 3). Stair railing 1 is mounted on a wall 2 by means of brackets 3. This stair rail-ing is positioned at a height above the steps 4, customary for adult use. The bracket 3 is of a type normally used to secure stair railings to walls. It consists generally of a flattened end portion 5 mounted on a wall by any suitable means such as screws 6 (FIG. 2). The body 7 of the bracket extends outwardly from the wall and has an outer extremity thereof adapted to be secured to a stair railing by the attachment means 8. Screws or bolts 9 extend through the attachment means 8 of bracket 3 and into or through the stair railing itself (FIG 2.). In the embodiment of the bracket 3 shown in the drawings, attachment meanss comprises a detachable plate, screws 9 connecting the plate to the rail 1. However, it must be understood that the hangers 20 to be described hereinafter are adapted to be secured to any of a number of such means for securing the rail 1 to a wall bracket. 7

In the embodiment of this invention shown in the drawings, the hangers 20 are provided to secure the childs stair railing 50 to the standard stair railing 1. These hangers are one piece construction and are somewhat J-shaped, having the main hanger arms 22 and the attachmentarms 21 (FIG. 4). Arm 21 is characterized by being straight and having a plurality of holes 23 for receiving screws. The lower end 24- of arm 22 is curled upwardly like the lower end of a J and then curled to form the loop or eye 25. At the extreme end of the loop is formed a straight portion 29a arranged parallel to the upright portion 29b. Holes 26 are provided intheseportion for receiving the bolt 28. Preferably, the hangers 20 possess some resiliency to enable the size of the loop 25 to be increased or decreased. Ann 22 is: twisted at 30 such that the plane passing. through loop 25 lies substantially normal to the arm 21 of the hanger 20 (FIG. 2). A bend 31 is provided in arm 22' such that the loop 25 lies directly below arm 21 (FIG. 4), the purpose of this structure being fully explained hereinafter. In the embodiment of this invention shown in the drawings, the childs stair railing 50 is of a telescopingnature. That is, the childs stair railing 50 may be extended or telescoped tomatch the varying length of standard stair railings in various homes and buildings. Further, when not in use, the childs stair railing 50. may be completely telescoped and stored in a relatively small space.

Attachment arm 21 of each hanger 20 is adapted to be inserted between the standard stair railing 1 and attachment means 3 of the bracket 3 which secures the stair railing to the wall 2. The screws or bolts 9 secured in position, firmly hold arm 21 in position with arm 22 depending therefrom. The loops 25 of hangers 29 receive the child's stair railing 50. Nuts 27 and bolts 23 tighten the loops 25 about the railing 50 rigidly securing it to the hangers 20. As shown in FIG. 3, such structure provides a childs stair railing, achieving the objects and producing the results presented hereinbefore.

Assembly It will be noted that the stair railing St} is easily and simply fabricated, the finished product when telescoped being a relatively small item. The hangers 20 are also one piece construction, adapted to be quickly and inexpensively produced in mass quantities. I

'The purchaser of this childs stair railing secures it in position by individually removing the railing 1 from the brackets 3 by removing screws or bolts 9. Ann 21 of a hanger 20 is then positioned between railing 1 and the cantilever arm of body 7 (FIG. 2 The holes 23 of arm 21 are aligned with the holes in the attachment means 8 of bracket 3. The arms 21 are then secured to the brackets 3 by replacement of screws or bolts 9. It will be noted that this simple operation firmly and rigidly aflixes the hangers 20 in place with the arms 22 depending from the standard stair rail 1 and the loop 25 lying therebelow.

The childs stair railing 5.0 is then extended to correspond with the particularlength of the standard railing 1. When thus extended, it is extended through each loop 25 of the legs 22 of the hangers 20. When in position, bolts are extended through the holes 26 and the nuts 27 are tightened on the bolts 28 to firmly and rigidly grip and support the rail 50 throughout its length within the loops 25. It will now be noted that the twist and bend 3i and 31 respectively in the arm 22 of each hanger 20 contribute to the exact positioning of the rail 50. With these simple steps, the mounting of the auxiliary childs stair railing is completed.

When the need for this childs stair railing is no longer present, it can be easily, simply and quickly removed. Screws or bolts 9 are removed from attachment means 8 9i b asksts 3- T is e ab es one to r m the h e 20 t'rorn the brackets 3. Screws or bolts 9 are then replaced, returning the original railing to its exact appearance, aving l ft no m rks or ha in d ma e the s and railing 1 in any way. Upon loosening nuts 27 from the bolts 28, the rail 50 may be removed from the loops Z t e s ned, a d the nt e r lin structure y e to ed i a r l v ma l P ce, .th 'p s he of being ed c d t a compact s z It will be noted that a stair railing suitable for assistn a c i in ag n we do n a flight of ps s b n provided which is well adapted to be used in conjunction with a standard stair railing for adults, The childs stair railing ,can be mounted into position very quickly and easily. When in position, the childs stair railing is pleasing in appearance and very sturdy and rigid to assure a t h the n ed fo s h li no l e e it can be r mo ed quic y and s mp Af e re ov l he appea n e of the standa d ra ma s t m uch e val a in n d m re o.- n o h Poss ssing a l if th se char ct r i e ds Stair i ing disclosed by this invention may be fabricated at a relatively low ,cost. Itis adjustable, enabling a purchaser to be free from measurement considerations, as this childs stair railing may be used in conjunction with a great variety of stair lengths. This adjustability further reduces cost of manufacturing.

While I have described but one embodiment of this invention, it is possible that the principles of this inven tion may be utilized in certain other embodiments. Such other embodiments are to be included within the spirit 4 and scope of this invention unless the appended claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In combination a standard stair railing, a bracket interconnecting a wall and said standard stair railing and an auxiliary stair railing for childen comprising: hangers mounted on said brackets interconnecting the wall and said standard stair railing, said hangers being generally L-shaped, including a first arm and a second arm, said first arm having means for connection between said bracket and said standard stair railing, said second arm depending from said standard stair railing having clamping means at the lower end thereof; and an elongated rail member; said rail member enveloped at points along its length by said clamping means, whereby said rail member is rigidly positioned below said standard stair railing and lies generally parallel thereto.

2. In combination a standard stair railing, a bracket interconnecting a wall and said standard stair railing and an auxiliary stair railing for children comprising: hangers mounted on said brackets interconnecting the "wall and said standard stair railing, said hangers being generally L-shaped, including a first arm and asecon'd arm, said first arm having means for connection between said bracket and said standard stair railing-said second arm depending from said standard stair railing having clamp ing means at the lower end thereof; and an elongated telescoping rail member; said rail member enveloped at points along its length by said clamping means, whereby said rail member is rigidly positioned below said standard stair railing and lies generally parallel -thereto.' i

3. In combination a standard stair railing, a bracket interconnecting a wall and said standard stair railing and an auxiliary stair railing for children comprising: hangers mounted on said brackets interconnecting the wall and said standard stair railing, said hangers being generally L shaped, including a first arm anda second arm, said first arm characterized by a plurality of holes and secured between said bracket and said standard stair railing, said second arm depending from said standard stair railing and curled outwardly and upwardly at the bottpm'thereofi an elongated rail member; said rail member extending through said curled portions of said hangersi and means for rigidly clamping said rail member within said curled portions of said hangers whereby said rail member is rigidly positioned below said standard stair railmg'and lies generally parallal therewith.

4. In combination a standard stair railing, a bracket interconnecting a wall and said standard stair railing and an auxiliarystair railing for children comprising: hangers mounted on said brackets interconnecting the wall and said standard stair railing, said hangers being generaliy L-shaped, including a first arm and}; second arm said first arm characterized by a plurality of holes and secured between said bracket and a standard stair railing, sa d second arm depending from said standard stair railing and curled outwardly and upwardly at the bottom theifiQf; iiiig elongated telescoping rail member; said rail member es tending through said curled portions of said hangers; said means for rigidly clamping said rail member yv th n said curled portions of said hangers whereby sa d ra l member is rigidly positioned below said standard siair railing and lies generally parallel therewith.

5. In combination a standard stair railing, a bracket interconnecting a wall and said standard stair rail ng an auxiliary stair railing for children comprising: hangers mounted on said brackets interconnecting the wall and said standard stair railing, said hangers beinggcncrally L-shaped and of one piece construction including a first arm and a second arm, said first arm character zed a plurality of holes and secured between said bracket and said standard stair railing, said second ar g i 7 generally near its middle and being curled upwardly at its lower end, said twist positioning said a m n generally normal to said first arm; an elongated, extendible telescoping rail member; said rail member extending through said curled portions of said hangers; said rail member adjustable to difierent lengths; and means for rigidly clamping said rail member within said curled por- 5 tions of said hangers whereby said rail member is rigidly positioned below said standard railing, being generally equal in length thereto and lying generally parallel there- 10.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

